Oba Eweka II
 
Oba Eweka II
{1914AD-1932AD}
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Last Update August 8, 2022

Prince Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwen (Eweka II) was born by Queen Eghaghe who hailed from Uvbe Village In Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo state. She was of Egbede family. Her mother was the daughter of Chief Evbuomwan, the Enogie of Abavo. Her father was Osenugha of Isi. She passed away peacefully on 18th February, 1933 after the passing away of her son Eweka II. She was buried by her gran-son Oba Akenzua II.

Oba Eweka was a bold and courageous person which earned him the appellation of Ovbiodu. He rebuilds the present palace after the ruin of the old palace after the Benin Expedition war of 1897, hence the appellation of ‘Eweka N’ Ologbe’. The term became so appropriate in that it was Oba Eweka I who started the second dynasty after the deposition of the last Ogiso and the coming of Oronmiyam, a grand- son of Ogiso Owodo from Ife where his father was on exile after being expelled from Benin through the evil machination of Esagho, the wife of Ogiso Owodo.

After the deportation of Oba Ovonramwen the son, Eweke II retired to his mother’s sister Ediagbonya house at Ekhor to pursue farming to earn a living until he was called back to Benin by the consul. He was appointed District Head. He then resided in his grandmother’s house at Ogbe quarters.

Before his ascension to the throne, Oba Eweka II was also a skillful brass smith and an expert in ivory and woodcarving.  

The advent of the British brought much disaster to the throne of Benin and hope was almost lost as to whether Benin would ever have its Obaship again. The British conquered Benin exiled its monarch to Calabar. During this traumatic period, Chief Agho Ogbedeoyo, the Obaseki Of Benin worked with the British to rule Benin. Benin lost its grandeur and the monarchy almost became extinct. 

At the demise of Oba Ovonramwen in exile in 1914 his accession was challenged and become a matter of debate. But for the wise judgement of the British Official, on the strong evidence of some Benin Chief, the table would have turned in favour of Chief Agho Ogbedeoyo, the Obaseki Of Benin, who had acted as the Oba during the interregnum, 1897-1914.

The monarchy was restored when prince Aiguobasimwin Ovoranmwen was crowned Oba of Benin with the title Eweka II on 24th July, 1914. The colonial rule with its indirect rule by Lord Lugard altered a lot of things.
Eweka II was the first post - Imperial Benin Monarch. He took the oath of allegiance to the British imperial king. The first time in Benin history, a Benin monarch took an oath of allegiance to another king.

His enemies often accused him of human sacrifice, every  reports of its kind was vigorously investigated, by searching the whole Oba palace and other secrets places nothing incriminating  were  ever found. Any act or festivals that involved anything incriminating were drop or reorganized. Many secret ceremonies were scrap.

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